After lying largely vacant for 14 years, Ponda’s long-neglected new market complex has finally come to life, as vendors from the old fish market have begun shifting into the premises. The long-stalled rehabilitation comes after the existing fish market building was declared unsafe for occupation by the Disaster Management Team earlier this year.
The new complex, built in the heart of Ponda at a cost of several crores, was inaugurated in 2011 but remained mostly unoccupied. Despite repeated efforts by the Ponda Municipal Council (PMC) to lease the shops, most vendors had refused to move in, citing high monthly rents and fears of poor customer turnout. The situation had turned the four-storey structure into a “white elephant” for the Council.
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The project was conceptualised after the old Ponda market — consisting of open sheds and stalls — was gutted in a fire in 2008. The foundation for the new complex was laid in 2009, and some vendors were temporarily accommodated in the Palika Bazar vegetable market and the fish market building. However, even after the completion of the new facility, most preferred to continue in their old premises.
In 2025, the fish market was officially declared dangerous for business operations, prompting authorities to issue notices to all vendors to vacate. Around 120 fish vendors were moved to the basement of the new complex, while 77 cloth and other vendors were allotted shops on the upper floors. Although several sought extensions to shift after Ganesh Chaturthi and Diwali, the PMC eventually disconnected the electricity supply to the fish market building, forcing the remaining vendors to relocate.
Vyapari Sanghatana president Gharu Sawant confirmed that all vendors have now moved into the new complex. “We have shifted after much protest, as the rents are unaffordable. We even met the Chief Minister to seek a solution to the rent issue. The fish market building is now completely vacated,” he said.
With the long-awaited relocation now complete, PMC officials are hopeful that the once-idle New Market Complex will finally generate revenue and activity in the town’s commercial hub.
